Is a pending $44,000 settlement with a former Volusia County Sheriff deputy riddled with conflicts of interest and nepotism?
Updated May 4, 2011
"Nepotism - We promote family values here almost as often as we promote family members."- Larry Kersten
On May 5, 2011, the Volusia County Council will be asked to approve the below $44,000 settlement (see attached PDF file) with Volusia County Sheriff Deputy Heather Post.(Item 13 - of the pending May 5, 2011 County Council Meeting)
Deputy Post alleges that the VCSO subjected her to both a hostile work environment and gender discrimination.
Notice that within the above attached PDF file, Assistant County Attorney Nancye Jones is the individual from the Volusia County Legal Department that has authorized the payment of $44,000 of taxpayer money to settle this matter.
VolusiaExposed.Com has some concerns that Attorney Jones' involvement in this settlement agreement is a possible conflict of interest. Further, that if such a conflict does exist, that the proposed settlement might not be in the best interest of Volusia County taxpayers or for that matter Deputy Post.
Attorney Jones' spouse, Volusia County Sheriff Major Robert Jones is in charge of all of the sheriff department districts. Therefore, if Deputy H. Post was subjected to a discriminatory or hostile work environment, it is possible that Major Jones could have some liability attached to any claim brought forward by this deputy? Is this incident being settled out quickly to reduced any possible embarassment to VCSO staff?
Obviously, the public deserves to know more about this issue prior to the May 5, 2011 County Council meeting. Therfore, VolusiaExposed has requested the public records involving former Deputy Post's internal affair investigation and EEOC complaint. However, we suspect that these records will be delayed and will not be available prior to the May 5, 2011 hearing. Either way - stay tuned for updates on this situation.